The original Bounce Curl EdgeLift brush became one of the most talked-about styling tools in the curly hair space — but a lot of people found it too aggressive.

Bounce Curl heard that feedback and released two new brushes designed to be gentler, along with a full Weightless product line. I tested both during a full wash day to see if they actually deliver.

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New Bounce Curl Brushes Overview

The original Bounce Curl Define brush became widely popular because of the ridge design that helps group hairs together into curl clumps quickly and consistently.

These new versions build on that concept, but they’re designed to be more flexible, with fragile or easily disrupted hair in mind.

Slick-Dense vs Slick-Flex EdgeLift Brushes

​Bounce Curl Slick-Dense Define EdgeLift Brush​

This version has more bristles and creates more tension, which gives you more control during styling.

​Bounce Curl Slick-Flex Define EdgeLift Brush​

This version has fewer bristles and a more flexible design, creating less tension and allowing it to move through the hair more gently.

The difference comes down to how much tension your hair can tolerate during styling.

Routine Using the Bounce Curl Weightless Line

Before styling, I used the Weightless Shampoo and Mask in the shower.

Bounce Curl positions this line as “weightless,” so I was specifically paying attention to whether it truly supports lighter results or leans more conditioning in practice.

Shampoo and Mask Review

The shampoo cleansed well enough, but nothing really stood out.

It felt more moisturizing than expected for something labeled weightless. I would consider it closer to a medium moisture shampoo, when comparing it to my stronger, less moisturizing shampoos.

​Bounce Curl Weightless Shampoo​

The mask is lighter than a traditional deep conditioner which is great. Because of the oil content, I would still categorize it as medium weight, especially in comparison to lighter-weight conditioners.

If your hair benefits from some softness, this can work well. If your hair is already soft or struggles to hold structure, this may be too conditioning. However, you may be able to still use it if you rinse very thoroughly.

​Bounce Curl Weightless Conditioning Mask​

Step 1 — Prep (Leave-In + Heat Protectant)

I applied the Thermal Guard Leave-In to evenly wet hair.

It provides good slip and works well as a heat protectant, which I do like. It layers in smoothly and supports styling without feeling heavy.

That said, it still contributes some conditioning. So if your hair is already very soft or struggles with hold, this is where you want to be mindful of how much you use.

​Bounce Curl Thermal Guard Weightless Leave-In​

I also tested the HydraLite Styling Cream (Weightless Curl Cream) separately. It was nice and added softness, but I did notice that it seemed to reduce the hold of a gel when layered underneath.

Because of that, I don’t currently see a strong reason to include it in this routine, especially since the leave-in already provides a good amount of conditioning.

​Bounce Curl Hydra-Lite Styling Cream​

Step 2 — Gel Application (Ceramide Jelly)

This gel has more of a custard consistency, not a thin gel.

It’s very moisturizing and conditioning, but not heavy. I would consider it lightweight to medium weight in terms of moisture.

It can absolutely be used as a one-and-done styler, and I actually get the best hold from it when I use it on its own rather than layering it over multiple conditioning products.

​Bounce Curl Ceramide Jelly​

Step 3 — Styling with the EdgeLift Brushes

I split my hair down the middle and used the Slick-Dense on one side and the Slick-Flex on the other side.

For this test, I intentionally did not separate or refine my curl clumps afterward. I wanted to show the true effect of the brushes on their own before making any adjustments.

Immediate Results After Brush Styling

Both brushes created very defined, uniform clumps.

The Dense side felt a bit more tension, while the Flex side felt lighter and more flexible.

In both cases, the brushes grouped my hair into larger sections than my natural pattern would typically form if I refined them.

What Brushes Actually Do (And Where They Fall Short)

✅ Pros of Brush Styling

Brush styling works well for:

• Creating consistent curl clumps quickly
• Distributing product evenly
• Smoothing the hair for more definition
• Helping form curl groupings with less effort

This is why tools like this can make styling feel easier.

❌ Cons of Brush Styling

When used on its own, brush styling can:

• Create clumps that are too large
• Group together curls that don’t naturally belong together
• Reduce volume due to increased clumping

That’s what happened in this test.

How to Fix It

The brush is not meant to be your final step. It’s a starting point. To refine your results, you need to go back in with your hands to:

• Separate larger clumps
• Adjust curl groupings
• Guide your natural pattern

Your hands are one of the most underutilized tools for volume. Even if you’re using volumizing products, you won’t get the result you’re looking for if you don’t refine your clumps and shape afterward.

Brush styling works well, but it needs to be finished with your hands. That’s the difference between defined but flat curls and defined curls with shape and volume.

Step 4 — Microplopping (optional)

After styling, I microplopped to remove excess water before diffusing. This step is especially important when using a medium hold gel like this one.

If there’s too much water left in the hair, it can dilute the gel and soften the cast before it has a chance to fully set. Microplopping helps remove that excess water so the gel can form a more effective cast.

It also helps:

• Encourage curl formation
• Prevent dripping and product shifting
• Support better hold overall, when adding that extra light coat of gel on drier hair

This is a small step, but it can make a noticeable difference in how well your results last.

​Hair RePear Premium Cotton Hair Towel, Not Dyed​

Step 5 — Diffusing

I went straight into diffusing using my usual routine with my Curlsmith hairdryer. Diffusing is what sets the curl structure and locks in the cast. Without this step, especially with a softer or more conditioning routine, the curls are more likely to stretch and lose shape as they dry.

I focused on:

• Setting the curl pattern early
• Minimizing movement while the cast forms
• Maintaining lift at the root

This is another step that directly impacts your final result. Even with the right products, how you dry your hair will determine how much definition and volume you actually keep.

​Curlsmith Defrizzion Hair Dryer & XXL Diffuser​

Step 6 — Scrunch Out the Crunch

Once my hair was fully dry, I scrunched out the cast and lifted at the roots.

This gel formed a good cast. Not overly hard or stiff, but enough to hold the curl pattern and maintain definition. Once I scrunched it out, my hair felt soft while still maintaining structure.

Because I didn’t separate my clumps earlier in the routine, there was only so much volume I could recover at this stage. Scrunching helps soften the cast and add movement, but it doesn’t replace the need to refine your curl groupings during styling.

Day One Results — Defined but Flat

My curls were very defined, but the clumps were too large and the overall shape looked flatter than usual.

Part of that was due to the split test, since I parted my hair down the middle.

But the main reason was the oversized clumps, which reduced volume and created an uneven shape. In some areas, it even looked like I had an uneven haircut, when in reality it was just how the curls were grouping together.

When I compare this to using the original Bounce Curl Define brush, I see a similar pattern when I don’t separate clumps with my hands.

And when I compare this to using the Ceramide Jelly with my usual routine, I get much better results with more volume, better shape, and more natural clumping. You can see those results in this post.​

Day Two Results — Why the Shape Looked Off

By day two, my hair didn’t fall apart. It actually grouped together more.

Those larger clumps from wash day stayed intact and combined in certain areas, which made the overall shape look uneven and a bit wonky.

I had to go in and separate and fluff my curls to rebalance everything. This reinforces how much your wash day technique impacts your results later.

At the same time, the gel performed very well. My curls stayed defined, there was minimal frizz, and the overall hold was strong for a medium hold gel.

Final Thoughts — Should You Buy the New Bounce Curl Weightless Line or EdgeLift Brushes?

The most important thing to understand is that “weightless” does not mean minimal or no conditioning. This line leans more conditioning and softening than I expected. If your hair can tolerate some softness or benefits from added moisture, this line can work well.

If your hair is very fine, very soft, or struggles to hold structure, this may not feel as lightweight as you were expecting.

• The leave-in is probably my favorite product from the line, especially for heat protection
• The curl cream adds softness, but may not be necessary
• The gel is my top pick from this line — after four tests, this specific routine gave me the best hold I’ve gotten from it. If you like medium hold gels, it’s worth trying.
• The mask is nice and seemed to be a lightweight option
• The shampoo is fine, but not standout

The brushes are the highlight. They feel like a hybrid between a Tangle Teezer-style brush and the original Bounce Curl design, which makes them easier to use while still creating strong clumps.

If you already have the original brush and it works for you, you don’t necessarily need to replace it. But if you’re concerned about tension or want something more flexible, these are worth considering.

Still Need Help?

If you’re still struggling with brush styling, you might want to watch my video on why brush styling could be stretching out your waves and how to fix it.

If you want personalized guidance applying this to your own hair, this is exactly what I help my clients with inside my Group Curl Coaching Program.